From spreadsheets to Flip

A practical migration guide to accurate, low‑maintenance inventory.

Why teams outgrow spreadsheets

• Single‑user bottlenecks: edits collide, versions drift.
• No order workflow: hard to track what’s reserved, received, or shipped.
• Error‑prone math: fragile formulas and hidden filters cause misses.

What you get with Flip

• True availability: on‑hand minus committed, per location.
• Purchase & sales orders: status‑driven updates to counts—no manual edits.
• Smart alerts: warning/critical thresholds to prevent stockouts.

Migration in one afternoon

1. Export your items CSV: SKU, name, location, on‑hand.
2. Clean obvious duplicates and mismatched SKUs.
3. Import into Flip and map columns.
4. Set minimums for your top sellers using lead‑time + safety stock.
5. Create your first purchase order for anything already below minimum.

Avoid these pitfalls

• Mixed SKU formats: standardize before import; future you will thank you.
• Stale open orders: enter any outstanding POs/SOs so availability is correct day one.
• One giant location: set up real locations to enable fast transfers and accurate alerts.

After go‑live: keep it simple

1. Review alerts daily; turn them into purchase orders or transfers.
2. Revisit minimums weekly for top movers; monthly for the long tail.
3. Archive dead SKUs quarterly to keep reports snappy.

Outcome: reliable counts, fewer emergencies, and a team that spends time selling—not fixing sheets.